Natural Remedies for the Flu

Flu or influenza is an extremely contagious respiratory infection caused by virus. It is usually spread by sneezes and cough of the person who is affected from that virus. In majority of cases flu is not much of a serious infection but in some cases it may leads to severe results including death especially when you are also suffering from other diseases or if one is older than 65 years of age. Some other complications caused by flu are pneumonia, asthma and heart failure. Children may also suffer from ear infection and sinus problems due to flu. There are three types of viruses including A, B and C. Virus A and B cause epidemics of respiratory illness whereas virus C is different from other viruses and usually causes mild respiratory illness.

Each year at least 5% to 20% people suffer from flu in United States. An average of 20,000 to 40,000 people dies from the flu every year and up to 200,000 people are hospitalized with complications of flu each year. According to U.S center for disease control and prevention, almost 35 to 50 million Americans suffer from the flu during each season which remains from November to March.

Symptoms:

Flu symptoms may include stuffy and runny nose, sore throat, fever, aching in limbs, aching in joints, muscles aches, headache and feeling of tiredness that may remain for several weeks.

There are different treatments that are used to get rid of flu including many natural remedies that can help you in fighting against the flu. These remedies not only keep flu away from you but also help in healing flu when you are badly suffering from the disease. Most of the natural remedies include common herbs and foods that are easily available at very low cost.

Natural Remedies for Flu:

First natural remedy to cure flu is drinking excess amount of water that can keep you hydrated. It can help you to get rid of excess mucus and also reduce toxin and waste materials from body by removing them using excess water.

Another Natural remedy is using garlic that can help in reducing the growth of virus that causes flu. Use of garlic in food can help in cleaning blood and removes toxins and wastes from body. Garlic has a compound called “Allicin “which act as an antibiotic. It can be used with the Echinacea to build stronger immune system that enables human body to fight against viruses and bacteria. Onions also have same properties like garlic and one can use it in food if suffering from flu.

Lemons are also used as natural remedy for flu from hundreds of years. Lemons have natural antiseptic properties and contain vitamin C which helps in building a stronger immune system against the viral infections by increasing numbers of white blood cells in your body. It can also act as a cleansing agent for body. Other resources of vitamin C are fresh fruits and vegetables. Orange, pineapple, seedless grapes, ginger and pink grape fruits also provide health to your body and make immune system very strong as they all contain vitamin C.

Peppermint is also one of the great natural remedy for flu which gives strength to your body and keep your body clean. Zinc also plays very important role in curing flu as it is a great immunity mineral. Grains, nuts, beans, sunflower seeds and pumpkin are the sources of Zinc.

Golden seal is good for activating immune system by supplying blood to the spleen. It activates white blood cells called macrophages that are responsible for destruction of virus causing flu. Ginger is also a natural remedy for flu which contains dozen of antiviral compounds. It can reduce pain, fever, sore throats and inflammation of mucus membrane. One can take it with hot tea or with hot water or may use as an ingredient in your food.

Echinacea is used as a new cure and it is the best antiseptic herb which is now one of the common natural remedy for flu. Echinacea activates the immune system which helps in increasing defense mechanism against the virus and bacteria. It is best blood cleanser and increases white blood cells to fight against virus.

The best thing to do is to use plenty of liquids such as juices, hot tea or water with lemon because water is used to eliminate toxins material and waste products from the body. Eat something which can be easily digested. Junk foods must be avoided in order to make stronger defense system so that your body can only focus on fighting against that virus instead of digesting heavy meals.

Sage is also used as a natural remedy as a tincture or tea. It is also great antiseptic that helps in reducing sore throats and in fever. Blackberries are fruit that are enriched with vitamin C and used as a cleanser for body in flu. Blackberries have very strong effect in strengthening body system and building strong immunity within human body.

Yarrow is the one of the natural remedy that has anti inflammatory properties and can help in reducing fever and also act as healing agent in flu conditions. Cinnamon oil also contains strong antibacterial properties. It helps in reduce feeling of nausea and can stop vomiting. It can be used with tea in flu conditions. Menthol and Camphor also have the ingredients which can help in relief of nose pain and menthol helps in relieve secretion from your nose. Menthol has an especial effect on the irritating skin of the nose.

Taking a Steamy shower when you are suffering from flu is another natural remedy for flu. It may relax you by moisturizing nasal passages. It may also help in increase of blood circulation and can relax your body. It can

Nature’s penicillin is also a great natural remedy and is made up of ingredient which has naturally cleansing properties and is antiseptic in nature.

These natural remedies are the best treatment for the flu and can also help you to fight against flu and cold. Most of the above mentioned natural remedies are very helpful in building strong immune system while some helps in increasing the count of white blood cells in human body. Flu is easily curable disease with the help of natural remedies that you can apply from your home but if the sickness continues for more than 3 days than it is preferable to visit doctor.